Former Scotland star Pauline Hamill has been honoured as one of this year’s new inductees to North Lanarkshire’s sporting hall of fame.

The Airdrie woman, who began playing football with Craigburn boys’ club in her home town, was among eight local heroes added to the county’s roll of honour at a ceremony in Ravenscraig sports centre on Friday.

Pauline made a then-record 141 appearances for the national side between 1992 and 2010 – becoming the first woman to reach 100 caps – and scored 29 goals, in addition to her glittering club career.

She was among eight sports stars to be added to the hall of fame at its second induction ceremony, including former world champion boxer Pat Clinton, Celtic and Scotland star Jimmy Quinn and Paralympians Michael Kerr and Scott Meenagh.

Pauline, 46, told the Advertiser: “When I was young not a lot of girls were playing football and I was very fortunate that both my parents encouraged me to pursue my goals.

“I feel honoured to have been nominated and inducted into North Lanarkshire’s sporting hall of fame. To be mentioned in the same breath as all these other truly inspirational sportspeople is actually quite surreal.”

Hamill celebrates scoring for Scotland

A former pupil of St Dominic’s Primary and St Margaret’s High, Pauline spent her early years “kicking a ball about in the local park with her dad until she was old enough to join in with the boys”, going on to turn out for Craigburn until the age of 15.

She then spent a year at Coltness Ladies, where she was top scorer and player of the year, before moving on to begin a fruitful 13-year association with leading side Cumbernauld Ladies.

Pauline won eight Premier League titles, 11 Scottish Cups, six League Cups, scored more than 350 goals and captained the team.

The 2001 season saw her join Icelandic premier league side IBV, where her 16 strikes made her top scorer. She also had the most assists across the league.

She played club football south of the border with Doncaster and Blackburn and in Scotland with Kilmarnock, Hibs, Spartans and Celtic, retiring from playing in 2011.

The Airdrie football star then became coach of the Scottish FA women’s national academy in 2009. She coached the national under-17 side and is now taking charge of Scotland’s under-19s.

Pauline gained her Uefa A licence in 2013 and is currently working towards the prestigious pro licence, aiming to complete the course in December. That would make her one of only two women in Scotland to hold the highest qualification in football.

She is described in her hall of fame citation as “a true inspiration and role model to girls and women who want to play or coach football”.

Pauline said: “My biggest satisfaction is seeing how the national team has progressed over the years, including qualifying for their first major finals in the Netherlands last year.”

Hamill wheels away after netting for her country

She attended Friday’s ceremony with partner Shelley and six-year-old son Kyle and later called the occasion “a very humbling afternoon in the company of many amazing people”.

Each inductee has achievements and photographs from their career highlighted as part of a display taking pride of place along the main corridor at Ravenscraig.

North Lanarkshire is the first local authority to honour its successful sporting residents in this way, with last year’s 12 inaugural inductees including Coatbridge boxer Ricky Burns, Drumpellier star and former Indian test cricketer Budhi Kunderan and Commonwealth judo champions Louise and Kimberley Renicks.

Pauline is now preparing to return to the pitch on home turf when she takes part in the Advertiser’s charity football match in aid of St Andrew’s Hospice.

The big match takes place next Saturday, June 2, and the Scotland player will be lining up alongside a host of the sport’s star names, including Graeme Souness, Neil Lennon and Ally McCoist, to help raise funds for the hospice’s refurbishment capital appeal.

Pauline told the Advertiser: “I’m looking forward to pulling my boots on once again for the charity match. It’s a great line-up and a wonderful cause and I’m sure it’ll be a memorable day.”